The DB11 Volante ushers in a new era for Aston Martin in terms of styling, packaging, and performance. The line-up includes the roadster detailed here, and a coupe model offered with eight or 12 cylinders.

OverviewThe DB11 Volante rides on a brand-new platform that makes extensive use of aluminum in order to keep weight in check. The result is a light, stiff chassis that works with a brake-based torque vectoring system to help the DB11 Volante deliver agile handling. It's one of the sharpest cars ever to wear Aston Martin's winged emblem. It's not just a grand tourer for the French Riviera; this roadster can carve corners, too.

While the coupe is offered with a V8 or a V12, the Volante only offers the first option. It uses a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. Sound familiar? If it does, it's because the eight-cylinder is an Aston-specific version of the engine that powers dozens of Mercedes-AMG models, including the GT and the C63.

In this application it generates 503 horsepower and 498 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed mentioned above comes standard here, too. The sprint from zero to 62 mph takes approximately four seconds.

Spotter's guideThe DB11 Volante wears sharper, more elegant rendition of Aston Martin's instantly-recognizable design language. And no, it's not just you; it kind of does look like a Ford Fiesta from certain angles. The familiar grille remains, but the headlights stretch further into the long, sculpted hood. Vents cut into the front wheel arches add a striking element to the DB11 when it's viewed from the side. The belt line flows into a rear end dominated by thin C-shaped headlights and a creased fascia.

An eight-layer fabric soft top protects the cabin from the elements. It takes 14 seconds to open and 16 seconds to close, and both operations can be performed at up to 31 mph. The British company points out it designed the top in a way that frees up as much trunk space as possible even when it's open.

The cabin shows Aston Martin's commitment to building more modern cars. Step inside and you'll find a digital instrument cluster that can be configured by the driver, a heated three-spoke multi-function steering wheel, and a screen for the infotainment system on top of the center console. Below it are buttons for the transmission and the climate control settings. You sit low in the DB11, and you're surrounded by top-notch materials like leather and carbon fiber. You can take passengers, too, because the rear seats come with ISOFIX attachment points.

Key competitorsThe Aston Martin DB11 competes in the same segment as the Bentley Continental GTC, the Ferrari California T, and the Lamborghini Huracan Spyder. Which one you select largely depends on what you're looking for in a supercar - and which one you don't already have in your garage.